San Diego Basketball Preview, part 3
Avocado League 1) La Costa Canyon (Division 1, La Costa Canyon)
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Head Coach: Dave Cassaw (11th Year)
Last year's record: 23 - 6 (9 - 1, tied 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Semi-finals.
Key players: Dennis Kramer (Sr, 6'10"), Matt Shrigley (So, 6'05"), James McCann (Sr, 6'01"), Drew Kitchens (Jr, 6'04")
Losses to overcome: Jake Ducey (graduation), Parker Johnson (graduation)
Summary: The Mavericks are the favorites for the D-1 CIF title.
2) Torrey Pines (Division 1, Del Mar)
Head Coach: John Olive (13th Year)
Last year's record: 26 - 6 (9 - 1, tied 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in CIF D-1 Championshp; Lost in State 1st Round.
Key players: Nick Kerr (Jr, 6'02"), Joe Rahon (So, 6'01"), Max Heller (Jr, 5'09"), Jesse Neugarten (Jr, 5'10")
Losses to overcome: Colin Porter (UC San Diego), Ramsey Hopkins (graduation), Trevor Newquist (graduation)
Summary: The Falcons are strong contenders for both the CIF and league titles.
3) Escondido (Division 1, Escondido)
Head Coach: Paul Baldwin (12th Year)
Last year's record: 15 - 14 (6 - 4, 3rd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Joe Hudson (Sr, 6'01"), Nathan Urquhart (Sr, 6'01"), Jesse Sahagun (Sr, 6'05")
Losses to overcome: Shea Prince (graduation), Brennan Whitty (graduation)
Summary: The Cougars are the darkhorse in the league and CIF races.
4) Mission Hills (Division 2, San Marcos)
Head Coach: Curtis Hofmeister (6th Year)
Last year's record: 8 - 19 (3 - 7, 4th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Hunter Moore (Jr, 6'03"), Kyler Kennedy (Jr, 6'00"), Christian Ngiyulu (Jr, 5'10")
Losses to overcome: Jeremy Ford (graduation)
Summary: The Grizzlies face another uphill battle this year.
5) Fallbrook (Division 1, Fallbrook)
Head Coach: Jeff Brandow (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 7 - 19 (1 - 9, 6th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Danny Bashara (Jr, 6'02"), Brian Gordon (Sr, 6'03"), Garrett MacLean (Fr, 6'01")
Losses to overcome: Jake Ware (graduation), Aaron Atkins (graduation)
Summary: The Warriors hope to make some strides with a young group.
6) San Pasqual (Division 1, Escondido)
Head Coach: Greg Russell (1st Year)
Last year's record: 5 - 19 (2 - 8, 5th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Matt Lee (Sr, 5'11"), Tayte Hines (Sr, 6'04")
Losses to overcome: Eric Bowcock (graduation), Shawn Hagans (graduation), Michael Fredricks (graduation)
Summary: Looks like another long year for the Golden Eagles in a tough league.
Player of the Year:
Dennis Kramer (La Costa Canyon)
All-Avocado League:
Danny Bashara (Fallbrook)
Joe Hudson (Escondido)
Nick Kerr (Torrey Pines)
Dennis Kramer (La Costa Canyon)
Matt Shrigley (La Costa Canyon)
Central League 1) Christian (Division 4, El Cajon)
Head Coach: Kelvin Starr (3rd Year)
Last year's record: 15 - 11 (7 - 5, 4th)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Luiz Bidart (Sr, 6'02"), Shane Dillon (So, 6'05"), Icaro Paritto (Jr, 6'00")
Losses to overcome: Taylor Eichhorst (graduation)
Summary: The Patriots are a serious contender for the D-4 CIF crown.
2) Coronado (Division 4, Coronado)
Head Coach: J.D. Laaperi (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 17 - 11 (9 - 3, 2nd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Danny Hebert (So, 6'01"), Billy Schmitt (Jr, 6'07"), Justin Hebner (Jr, 6'00"), Chris Maskevich (Sr, 6'06")
Losses to overcome: Justin Parsons (graduation), Krishna Semperio (graduation)
Summary: The Islanders could surprise behind a solid returning nucleus.
3) Point Loma (Division 2, Pt. Loma)
Head Coach: Chris Brisco (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 16 - 11 (8 - 4, 3rd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Jordan Sparkman (Sr, 6'07"), Nate George (Jr, 6'06"), Christian Heyward (Jr, 6'04"), Davis Callejon (Sr, 6'03)
Losses to overcome: Robbie Tartre (graduation), Ben Nease (graduation), Axel Anderson (graduation), Jon Gaymond (graduation)
Summary: If there perimeter play develops, the Pointers could be in the thick of the league race.
4) Kearny (Division 3, Kearny Mesa)
Head Coach: Carl Bronson (8th Year)
Last year's record: 22 - 5 (11 - 1, 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Mike Oloya (Jr, 6'05"), David Ortega (Sr, 5'10")
Losses to overcome: Manny Ortiz (graduation), Derrick Beebe (graduation), Kendrick Hester (graduation)
Summary: Graduation decimated the Komets as they look to rebuild.
5) Crawford (Division 3, San Diego)
Head Coach: Dave Taylor (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 5 - 20 (3 - 9, 6th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Hassan Farah (Sr, 5'11")
Losses to overcome: Clarence Sherman (graduation), Demario Robinson (Injured - Out for Year)
Summary: The Colts lack of a post presence will be hard to overcome.
6) Madison (Division 4, Kearny Mesa)
Head Coach: Mike Stutz (4th Year)
Last year's record: 6 - 19 (3 - 9, tied for 5th)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: David Lamar (Sr, 6'02"), Kevin Brown (Sr, 6'01"), Akeem Woodson (Jr, 6'04")
Losses to overcome: Robbie Rouse (Football - Fresno State), Terrence Harris (graduation)
Summary: The Warhawks hope to make some positive strides this year.
7) Clairemont (Division 3, Clairemont)
Head Coach: James Profit (1st Year)
Last year's record: 2 - 24 (1 - 11, 7th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Joseph Mayer (Jr, 6'02"), Cody Bermudes (Jr, 5'08"), Chris Bonner (Jr, 6'05")
Losses to overcome: None
Summary: The Chieftains will fight again to stay out of the cellar.
Player of the Year:
Luiz Bidart (Christian)
All-Central League:
Luiz Bidart (Christian)
Justin Hebner (Coronado)
Mike Oloya (Kearny)
Icaro Paritto (Christian)
Jordan Sparkman (Pt. Loma)
Citrus East League 1) Vincent Memorial (Division 5, Calexico)
Head Coach: Peter Contreras (6th Year)
Last year's record: 13 - 11 (6 - 0, 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Victor Vildosola (Sr, 5'08"), Alvaro Lozano (Sr, 6'00")
Losses to overcome: Luis Miramontes (graduation), Ruben Melendez (graduation), Mario Lopez (graduation)
Summary: The Scots should be the class of the league once again.
2) Borrego Springs (Division 5, Borrego Springs)
Head Coach: Wes Fischer (1st Year)
Last year's record: 13 - 7 (4 - 2, 2nd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Gerardo Villaescusa (Sr, 6'05"), Tony Daehler (Sr, 6'03")
Losses to overcome: Juan Hernandez (graduation), Chepe Rangel (graduation), Evan Garcia (Graduation)
Summary: The Rams hope to make a run at the league title.
3) Julian (Division 5, Julian)
Head Coach: Chris Russell (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 3 - 17 (2 - 4, 3rd)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Jordan Huntress (Jr, 5'10")
Losses to overcome: Lawrence Olsen (graduation)
Summary: The Eagles are looking to make significant improvement this year.
4) Warner Springs (Division 5, Warner Springs)
Head Coach: Wally Zittle (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 0 - 9 (0 - 6, 4th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Jesus Carachure (So, 6'02"), Joseph Wassenaar (Sr, 5'08")
Losses to overcome: Cody Smith (graduation), Boyd Willat (graduation)
Summary: Should be another long year for the Wildcats.
Player of the Year:
Victor Vildosala (Vincent Memorial)
All-Citrus East League:
Jesus Carachure (Warner Springs)
Jordan Huntress (Julian)
Alvaro Lozano (Vincent Memorial)
Victor Vildosala (Vincent Memorial)
Gerardo Villaescusa (Borrego Springs)
Citrus South League 1) Foothills Christian (Division 5, El Cajon)
Head Coach: Brad Leaf (5th Year)
Last year's record: 27 - 6 (10 - 0, 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Won CIF D-5 Championship; Lost in State Quarterfinals.
Key players: Troy Leaf (Sr, 6'02"), Kalob Hatcher (Sr, 6'00"), J'Vonte Brooks (Sr, 6'06"), Jamal Aytes (Fr, 6'05")
Losses to overcome: Brandon Hale (graduation), Ryan Smith (graduation)
Summary: The Knights are serious contenders for a state title.
2) San Diego Academy (Division 5, National City)
Head Coach: Bud Schaffner (4th Year)
Last year's record: 15 - 3 (8 - 2, 2nd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Lincoln Smith (Sr, 6'08")
Losses to overcome: Kephraim Kangjanaphumchi (graduation), Richard McWilliams (graduation)
Summary: Graduation hurt the Cavaliers, but they do return some size.
3) Midway Baptist (Division 5, San Diego)
Head Coach: Richard Carey (1st Year)
Last year's record: 4 - 14 (4 - 6, 3rd)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Da'rell Andrews (Sr, 5'11"), Zach Balich (Jr, 5'11")
Losses to overcome: Rudy Taniguchi (graduation), Roland Hansen (graduation)
Summary: The Patriots are looking to return to the playoffs this year.
4) Mountain Empire (Division 4, Pine Valley)
Head Coach: Gary Laff (1st Year)
Last year's record: 4 - 10 (3 - 7, tied 4th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Sean Moses (Jr, 6'02"), Kyle Mackellar (So, 5'10"), Troy Webster (Sr, 6'05")
Losses to overcome: Josh Elms (graduation), Emilio Gonzalez (graduation)
Summary: The Redhawks should be improved from a year ago.
5) Lutheran (Division 5, San Diego)
Head Coach: Michael Heidtbrink (11th Year)
Last year's record: 6 - 18 (3 - 7, tied 4th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Anothni Powers (Sr, 6'05"), Raymon Taylor (Sr, 5'11")
Losses to overcome: Willie Heien (graduation), Israel Germosa (graduation)
Summary: It may be another long year for the Knights.
6) Calvary Christian (Division 5, Chula Vista)
Head Coach: Frank Henry (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 5 - 10 (2 - 7, 6th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Daniel Henry (So, 5'07"), Bryce Scheckel (So, 6'03"), Christian Quidang (So, 6'00")
Losses to overcome: Alec Flanagan (graduation), Richard Bailey (graduation)
Summary: The Royal Knights hope to continue to build on last year's progress.
Player of the Year:
Troy Leaf (Foothills Christian)
All-Citrus South League:
Jamal Aytes (Foothills Christian)
J'Vonte Brooks (Foothills Christian)
Kalob Hatcher (Foothills Christian)
Troy Leaf (Foothills Christian)
Lincoln Smith (San Diego Academy)
Citrus West League 1) Escondido Adventist (Division 5, Escondido)
Head Coach: Bill Davis (3rd Year)
Last year's record: 15 - 11 (9 - 1, 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Michael Hawkey (Sr, 6'00"), Tae Ho Kim (Jr, 5'08"), Patrick McGee (Jr, 6'01")
Losses to overcome: Jeremy Perez (graduation), Tyler Velez (graduation), Victor Toledano (graduation)
Summary: The Hawks should once again battle for league supremacy.
2) San Pasqual Academy (Division 5, Escondido)
Head Coach: Brian Moore (5th Year)
Last year's record: 16 - 9 (6 - 4, tied 2nd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Raymond Lomas (Sr, 6'03")
Losses to overcome: Clinton Hidds (graduation), Julian Martinez (graduation)
Summary: The Dragons look to return to the top of the league.
3) San Diego Jewish Academy (Division 5, San Diego)
Head Coach: Stephen Shoemaker (5th Year)
Last year's record: 12 - 10 (5 - 5, 4th)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Stan Kaplun (Sr, 5'09"), Jacob Katz (So, 6'03"), Sharf Jordan (Jr, 5'10")
Losses to overcome: Andrew Retzer (graduation), Mike Levy (graduation)
Summary: The Lions suffered some tough losses to graduation, but should still be in the thick of the league race.
4) Guajome Park (Division 4, Vista)
Head Coach: Luis Llamas (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 8 - 16 (4 - 6, 5th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Andrew Rivera (Jr, 5'10"), Mark Brown (So, 5'08"), Caisan McNamara (Jr, 6'03")
Losses to overcome: Dalton Shackleford (graduation), Skylar Wang (graduation)
Summary: The Frogs are looking to leap into league title contention.
5) Christian Life (Division 5, Escondido)
Head Coach: Al Coleman (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 12 - 16 (6 - 4, tied 2nd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Jordan Stance (Sr, 5'07"), A.J. Buffini (Sr, 5'10"), Caleb Taylor (Sr, 5'09")
Losses to overcome: Andrew McCarthy (graduation), Dillon Dalton (graduation), Taylor Price (graduation)
Summary: The Eagles will try to regroup after suffering some losses to graduation.
6) Calvary Christian (Division 5, Vista)
Head Coach: Eric Apodaca (1st Year)
Last year's record: 1 - 15 (0 - 10, 6th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Brett Beasley (Jr, 5'08")
Losses to overcome: Dave Moore (graduation), Phil Mahon (graduation)
Summary: It may be another tough year for the Lions.
Player of the Year:
Raymond Lomas (San Pasqual Academy)
All-Citrus West League:
Brett Beasley (Calvary Christian)
Michael Hawkey (Escondido Adventist)
Stan Kaplun (San Diego Jewish Academy)
Raymond Lomas (San Pasqual Academy)
Caisan McNamara (Guajome Park)
Coastal North League 1) Army-Navy Academy (Division 4, Carlsbad)
Head Coach: John Maffucci (1st Year)
Last year's record: 17 - 9 (8 - 0, 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Semi-finals.
Key players: Rafael Rodriguez (Sr, 6'00"), Jhoan Camacho (So, 6'08"), Kregg Jones (Sr, 6'08"), Cheikh Ndiaye (Fr, 6'11")
Losses to overcome: Derrick Buchanan (graduation)
Summary: The Warriors may be as talented as any team in the county.
2) Santa Fe Christian (Division 4, Solana Beach)
Head Coach: Chad Bickley (4th Year)
Last year's record: 20 - 9 (6 - 2, 2nd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Karl Holmlund (Sr, 6'02"), Kyle Hubbard (Sr, 6'00")
Losses to overcome: Tyler Davis (graduation)
Summary: The Eagles return a strong nucleus and should be a league title contender.
3) Calvin Christian (Division 5, Escondido)
Head Coach: Mark Carlson (1st Year)
Last year's record: 13 - 12 (4 - 4, 3rd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Semi-finals.
Key players: Daniel Stout (Jr, 6'07"), Ryan Waardenburg (Jr, 6'01"), Cory Brouwer (Sr, 6'02")
Losses to overcome: David Stout (graduation), David Baker (graduation), Kevin Veldkamp (graduation)
Summary: The Crusaders suffered some major blows from graduation.
4) San Dieguito Academy (Division 3, Encinitas)
Head Coach: Luke Stuckey (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 5 - 20 (2 - 6, 4th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Kevin Ginn (Sr, 6'05"), Tom Tumosa (Sr, 6'08"), Brian Peck (Sr, 6'00")
Losses to overcome: Eric Peck (graduation), Kevin Barth (graduation)
Summary: The Mustangs return a solid nucleus and should be improved.
5) Tri-City Christian (Division 5, Vista)
Head Coach: Stan Bickley (4th Year)
Last year's record: 5 - 22 (0 - 8, 5th)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Joe Pichette (Jr, 5'10")
Losses to overcome: Carson Colpean (graduation), Tyler Kinzie (graduation)
Summary: The Eagles again are looking upward at the rest of the league.
Player of the Year:
Kregg Jones (Army-Navy)
All-Coastal North League:
Karl Holmlund (Santa Fe Christian)
Kregg Jones (Army-Navy)
Cheikh Ndiaye (Army-Navy)
Rafael Rodriguez (Army-Navy)
Daniel Stout (Calvin Christian)
